Exploration of the various paths of business research decisions is our primary

purpose.

-E-achof the six stages in the research process is briefly described below.Tigure 4
shows the decisions that researchers must make in each stage of the research
process. Discussion of the research process begins with problem discovery and
definition because most research projects, albeit at an earlier moment in time, are
e uncertainty about some aspect of the firm or its

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Figure 4: Flowchartof the Research Process

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L. PROBLEM DISCOVERY AND DEFINITTON
The research process begins with problem discovery, and identifuing the problem
is the first step toward its solution. The word problem, in general usage, suggests
something has gone wrong. Unfortunately, the term problem does not connote a
business opportunit5l, such as expanding operations into a foreign country nor
does it connote the need for evaluation of an existing program, such as employee
satisfaction with professional development programs.

Actually, the research task may be to clarify a problem, to evaluate a program, or to

deftne an opportunity, and problem discovery and definition will be used in this
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